PORT OF TARANTO, 29 OCTOBER 2025. The Port of Taranto marked the conclusion of the 2025 cruise season with a special event, highlighted by the maiden call of AIDAblu, making its first-ever visit to the Ionian port. A spectacular fireworks display over the Mar Grande – the port’s outer and wider basin facing the open sea and capable of accommodating large vessels – illuminated the port and the city, bidding farewell to the 2025 season and looking forward to 2026, a year that promises new opportunities for the entire port community and the city.
The 2025 season also closed positively in terms of numbers and prospects. With a total of 126,708 passengers, the port consolidated its position as a “boutique port” in the Mediterranean, attracting the interest of new cruise lines. Seven cruise lines – Costa Crociere, Princess Cruises, TUI, P&O Cruises, Azamara, Windstar and AIDA Cruises – included Taranto in their 2025 itineraries, with seven maiden calls marking first-ever visits to the port during the year.
Among these, Windstar Cruises selected Taranto as its first Italian port for its exclusive “President’s Mystery Cruise”, offering guests a high-end experience and recognising the quality of local infrastructure and services. Projections for 2026 confirm continued qualitative growth in cruise traffic, with Costa Crociere already confirmed through 2028.
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Taranto is increasingly recognised as an authentic and innovative destination, capable of attracting high-quality tourism keen to explore the city’s historical, cultural, and natural assets. Historically known as an industrial city and port, Taranto is undergoing a profound transformation. Cruise tourism is emerging as a strategic sector for the future of the port and the wider territory: overall growth in the segment generates important economic benefits for the local supply chain.
The expanding cruise activity also serves as a driver for intermodal logistics: developing cruise traffic contributes to the enhancement of transport and mobility services throughout the region. In 2025, the partnership with Costa Crociere enabled approximately 11,200 passengers to enjoy a premium fly & cruise experience, further establishing the Ionian port as an international destination offering top-quality services.
“The results achieved in 2025 allow us to look to the future with positive optimism,” said Giovanni Gugliotti, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Ionian Sea Port Authority. “Alongside growing interest from international cruise lines, we are pleased to note the strong engagement of the port and city community. This motivates us to continue developing the cruise sector with greater determination and commitment. Taranto can assert itself as a leading Mediterranean destination only through a long-term, integrated vision that makes the growth of cruise tourism a shared priority for the territory, in which everyone can play a decisive role”.
Thanks to infrastructure improvements, including the deepening of the First Pier, the port has been able since 2024 to accommodate two large cruise ships simultaneously, in a location very close to the historic city centre, which this year has seen increased visitor numbers as well as renewed vibrancy in cultural and creative activities, benefiting the local tourism economy.
The Ionian Sea Port Authority has worked in full synergy with public and private stakeholders to consolidate awareness of the importance of the cruise sector as a professional and local development opportunity. A particularly significant initiative was the collaboration between ITS Turismo and Costa Crociere on professional training courses, preparing young people from the region to enter the tourism, transport, hospitality, and catering job market efficiently.
On the infrastructure front, work continues on the redevelopment of the waterfront, aimed at physically reconnecting the port with the city and creating new spaces dedicated to maritime culture and recreational activities for residents and visitors, who are invited to experience Taranto as genuine ambassadors of a renewed port.
“The last call of the season is always an exciting moment, when we review our achievements and simultaneously prepare for the next seasons,” said Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of Taranto Cruise Port. “The 2025 balance is positive: Taranto is now fully integrated into the Mediterranean cruise panorama. This reflects not only the promotional work we carried out with targeted meetings with the lines, but also the appreciation for the terminal services, the beauty and richness of the cultural heritage, and the warmth of the destination. I am also convinced that the potential of Taranto and the Ionian Apulia region exceeds what has been expressed so far. To support further development of the destination, Taranto Cruise Port submitted a project last year for a permanent cruise terminal, which will allow winter operations, giving cruise passengers the opportunity to discover a lesser-known but welcoming and beautiful Apulia, and ensuring continuity of the economic impact generated locally by this sector. Finally, nothing is achieved alone, so we express our sincere thanks to the Authorities and stakeholders of the Port and the City and – above all – to the Taranto Cruise Port team, which adapts hospitality and service according to the type of ship, from large vessels to luxury cruises, always with competence and attention”.
“At the close of another cruise season at the Port of Taranto, we can draw a positive balance,” said Teo Titi, Costa Cruises agent and owner of Titi Shipping. “Costa confirmed its strategic presence: Taranto, chosen as a hub port in recent years, consolidated embarkation operations in 2025, strengthening confidence for the coming year. The port stands out for the high level of quality in passenger services, as demonstrated by the growing presence of other lines we represent. This is the result of a synergistic collaboration between the Port Authority, Taranto Cruise Port, Municipality of Taranto, Harbour Master’s Office, Customs, Police, Technical-Nautical Services, and Maritime Health Authorities to whom we extend our sincere thanks for their commitment and professionalism. I would also like to highlight the donation of surplus food through the partnership between Costa and Banco Alimentare, demonstrating strong attention to sustainability and social inclusion. We look forward with enthusiasm to the coming seasons and opportunities to grow together, consolidating Taranto’s role as a reference point in the cruise sector”.
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